It’s sort of easy to look at most of the Big Two comics and assume all comics these days are for adults only. But if you look at the graphic novel bestseller lists, it’s books aimed at kids that are by and large getting the most copies into readers’ hands. From purely funny stories to heartbreaking coming-of-age tales, kids of all ages really are flocking to comics … especially ones written with them in mind.
The fact is, we are living in a golden age of kid comics. Nearly all the big traditional publishers have founded kid-focused graphic novel imprints in recent years because kids are devouring these books and begging for more. Even DC and Marvel are finally bringing more kids comics to the table, particularly DC with its line of young reader and middle grade graphic novels. With such a wide landscape of books to choose from, how do you pick the right one for your particular young reader? We’ve compiled 50 of the best kids comics to help you decide.
Note: This list doesn’t cover manga. That’s a whole other list.
Yehudi Mercado
Meet Wax, a young mixmaster living in 1980s Brooklyn. He’s very good at what he does, but when he scratches the perfect beat, it gets the attention of robots from the planet Discopia! Wax, his family, best friend, and crush all get abducted, and they must learn the “intergalactic musical martial art of Sci-Fu” if they want to save their skins and the Earth. Old school hip hop meets old school science fiction in this fun comic.
Buy it on Comixology | Oni Press | Your local comic shop
Gene Luen Yang
A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang is known for thoughtful writing and beautiful visuals, and this Eisner-winning graphic novel is a perfect example of both. American Born Chinese is comprised of three different stories examining Chinese tradition and the diasporic identity of many Chinese Americans. While the stories seem completely separate at first, readers will slowly discover the connected message between the three tales.
Buy it on DC Comics | Macmillian | Your local comic shop
Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani
The Tiny Titans books feature several funny short stories (and some single comic strips) about the various sidekicks of the DC Universe as kids. The series is a wonderful way for young readers to learn about more DC superheroes while also seeing their favorites having silly adventures. Parents who are fans of the comics will also enjoy little inside jokes from the classic comic stories, but everything is still kid-appropriate.
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
Andy Ruton
The titular Owly is a kind-hearted and rather adventurous bird who enjoys making friends and helping solve problems. The series is largely dialogue-less, making it perfect for younger kids looking to move from picture books into more challenging visual stories. The adorable art style has charmed kids and adults alike, and garnered Owly an Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz award. Along with the graphic novels, Ruton offers several free short stories featuring Owly on his website.
Buy it on Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Victoria Jamieson
Impy is 11 years-old and finally going to public school after years of homeschooling. But she’s no average grade schooler — her family is part of the local Renaissance Faire. The kids at school are more judgemental than she expected, and soon Impy starts feeling embarrassed about her life as a squire-in-training. After some mistakes and tough lessons, Impy learns to embrace who she wants to be and stand up for others like a true knight would.
Buy it on Penguin Random House | Your local comic shop
Katie O’Neill
After a big storm, Lana discovers a hidden colony of aquacorns, magical creatures that look a little like seahorses. Her aunt encourages her to rescue an aquacorn injured in the storm and nurse it back to health. When a second storm threatens the aquicorn’s cove, Lana has to find a way to protect her new friends, even if that means standing up to her own people. Aquicorn Cove is a beautifully drawn book about protecting our oceans and the life in it.
Buy it on Comixology | Oni Press | Your local comic shop
Melanie Gillman
Charlie Lamonte is spending a week of her summer at Camp Three Peaks, a very white, very “traditional” Christian retreat whose messages haven’t changed much since it was founded in the 19th century. Charlie certainly doesn’t fit into Three Peaks’ vision of a perfect camper. It quickly becomes hard to enjoy the camping and adventure parts of the retreat when the rhetoric against outsiders like her is so strong. It’s a great book for young queer readers, but also for straight readers to learn more about queer experiences.
Buy it on Comixology | Iron Circus | Your local comic shop
Bill Watterson
For a lot of readers, daily comic strips are the first comics they get hooked on. And while the series ended nearly three decades ago, Bill Watterson’s comic about a mischievous boy and his stuffed tiger still delights readers and stays relevant. These collected volumes allow kids to binge read instead of waiting day to day!
Buy it on Andrews McMeel | Your local comic shop
Kikuo R. Johnson
A long time ago in Hawaii, a boy named Nanaue was born to a human maiden and the mythical Shark King. The Shark King returned to the ocean in the hope of protecting his son. Now part shark with a big shark appetite, the young Nanaue isn’t safe on land and must travel the ocean to find his father. The Shark King not only tells a captivating adventure story, but also teaches young readers about Hawaiian myths and traditions.
Buy it on Toon Books | Your local comic shop
Shea Fontana, Yancey Labat
Based on the cartoon shorts, the DC Super Hero Girls graphic novels have become some of DC’s bestselling books. The tales of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Bumblebee, and all their friends attending Super Hero High are popular with girls and boys alike. Like Tiny Titans, DC Super Hero Girls introduces readers to the larger DC canon while bringing them fun stories of their favorite superheroines. Older comic fans will enjoy seeing who makes up the school staff, including Amanda Waller, Gorilla Grodd, and even Crazy Quilt!
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh, Walter Baiamonte, Jim Campbell
Jory is super intimidated on his first day at an all-boys school, but quickly finds his place among the kind, hardworking theater stage crew who call themselves the Backstagers. It turns out theater is literally magic, and the backstage door leads to other dimensions and amazing adventures with new friends. This beautiful series features healthy friendships and boys who aren’t afraid to share their emotions.
Buy it on Comixology | Boom Studios | Your local comic shop
Jeremy Whitley, Elsa Charretier, Gurihiru, Alti Firmansyah, Espen Grundetjern, Vc Joe Caramagna
Teenage Nadia is the new Wasp, and she’s not alone in the fight against bad guys! With the support of Janet Van Dyne, the original Wasp, Nadia recruits genius girl scientists to form a team. With the Agents of G.I.R.L. (Genius In action Research Labs) at her side, there’s nothing Nadia can’t fix … right? With this diverse cast of characters, readers get to see how there is no one way to be a hero.
Buy it on Comixology | Marvel | Your local comic shop
CeCe Bell, Dan Lasky
CeCe Bell’s critically acclaimed graphic novel shares her own experiences of losing her hearing at the age of four. Eventually, CeCe was given a Phonetic Ear, an awkward but powerful hearing aid. When the strange-looking hearing aid alienates her from her classmates, CeCe creates her alter ego — El Deafo, “Listener for All.” Through her imagination, El Deafo embraces herself and finds a true friend along the way.
Buy it on Comixology | Abrams | Your local comic shop
Judd Winick
J.D. and Gina are just ordinary kids with ordinary lives. That is, they see a boy fall from the stratosphere. Their new friend Hilo doesn’t know where he came from or how he got to Earth. Oh yeah, and he has weird powers! Hilo might be a little odd (and doesn’t understand normal Earth kid things), but J.D. and Gina’s lives will never be boring again. With funny dialogue and a focus on friendship, Hilo is a fan-favorite among kids.
Buy it on Random House | Your local comic shop
Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen and Noelle Stevenson
Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types! The Lumberjane Scouts (especially the girls in the Roanoke Cabin) are excited for a summer of adventure. Little do they know the mysteries and dangers lurking in the nearby woods. Join Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley as they investigate weird happenings and earn merit badges along the way.
Buy it on Comixology | Boom Studios | Your local comic shop
Raina Telgemeier
As the reigning queen of kids graphic novels, Raina Telgemeier is going to appear multiple times on this list. This memoir explores Raina’s childhood experience with braces, a topic plenty of kids know well. After a bad fall that knocks her two front teeth out, young Raina must deal with braces, surgeries, and embarrassing headgear. On top of that, she faces boy problems, fake friends, and other heartaches. Like Beverly Cleary before her, Raina gets to the heart of the bittersweet awkwardness of middle school.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Raina Telgemeier
The companion to Smile, Sisters focuses on Raina’s relationship with her little sister during their childhoods. Raina and Amara don’t always get along, but when a third child comes into the picture and their parents’ relationship starts to change, the girls become closer and learn to support each other through the good and bad.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Ryan North, Erica Henderson, Derek Charm, Rico Renzi
Doreen Green has both the powers of squirrel and girl. She’s stopped Galactus from eating the earth and beat up Dr. Doom (twice!). If Doreen was in the MCU, Infinity War would have been a lot shorter. And in Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Doreen faces her biggest challenge yet — getting her bachelors degree in Computer Science! While our hero is a college student, younger readers will love her optimism, the focus on empathy and cleverness over violence whenever possible, and the various cameos from other Marvel heroes.
Buy it on Comixology | Marvel | Your local comic shop
Jeremy Whitley, Mia Goodwin, Emily Martin, Rosy Higgins, Ted Brandt
Princess Adrienne’s parents locked her in a tower. This is what happens to all the princesses so that a prince will come and prove he’s worthy of marrying her. But when a bored Adrienne befriends the dragon guarding her tower, she realizes there’s no reason she can’t escape her prison. More than that, it’s time for a little rebellion — time to help all the other princesses leave their towers, too.
Buy it on Comixology | Action Lab | Your local comic shop
Dav Pilkey
If your kid is a fan of the Captain Underpants books, they absolutely need to check out these comics. Originally the kid-made comic book within the Captain Underpants universe, Dog Man tells the story of a hero who’s part dog, part man, all hero. With his trusty pal Cat Kid, Dog Man saves the day while learning important lessons along the way. You might also notice the fun homages to classic literature, too.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Kayla Miller
When Olive’s school announces a fun student variety show, she’s surprised to find all her friends have formed groups to perform … without her. As someone seemingly liked by everyone, Olive doesn’t understand why she’s now alone. Click and the sequels Camp and the upcoming Act explore the complicated world of middle school friendships and learning who you are. But don’t worry; everything works out in the end.
Buy it on Comixology | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | Your local comic shop
Raina Telgemeier, Gale Galligan, Ann M. Martin
Ann M. Martin’s prolific Scholastic series has been popular with young readers for decades, and the recent graphic novel adaptations are helping bring these stories to a new generation. See Kristy, Mary-Ann, Claudia, and Stacy grow together as friends while navigating school, crushes, frustrating siblings, and their growing babysitting business. They’re up to seven comic adaptations and are about to spin off into the Little Sisters books.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Jeremy Whitley, Ted Brandt, Rosy Higgens
In this spin-off of Princeless, the titular Raven was placed in a tower by her pirate father and her rotten brothers have taken the pirate fleet that was rightfully hers. Now free from her prison, Raven is putting together her own ship crew to go after her brothers and reclaim her birthright. This is a great book for older kids looking for a thrilling adventure on the high seas. They’re sure to find a new favorite character among Raven’s brave, quippy crew.
Buy it on Comixology | Action Lab | Your local comic shop
Brandon Montclare, Amy Reeder, Natacha Bustos, Ray-Anthony Height
Lunella Lafayette is a kid super genius, but no one seems to take her seriously. She really needs a friend … luckily, a bright red T-Rex from a land before time is teleported and dropped right into her neighborhood. Thanks to her inhuman genes, Lunella discovers she has a mental link with this Devil Dinosaur and soon they become the wildest superhero duo in New York.
Buy it on Comixology | Marvel | Your local comic shop
Marika McCoola, Emily Carroll
Masha runs away from home to join the fabled Baba Yaga in the woods. The witchy woman is known for eating children, but Masha wants to become her assistant. Baba Yaga agrees to let her stay, but only if she completes a number of tricky tests. Masha is clever and up for the challenge, but Baba Yaga has more to teach her than she realizes.
Buy it on Penguin Random House | Your local comic shop
Chad Sell, Jay Fuller, David DeMeo, Katie Schenkel, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, Cloud Jacobs, and Barbara Perez Marquez
A neighborhood of kids turn cardboard into castles and costumes, working together throughout the summer to create their own cardboard kingdom. The award-winning graphic novel was a collaboration between 11 different writers woven together through Chad Sell’s beautiful visuals. While each chapter focuses on one or two of the kids, they all work towards the messages of creativity, empathy, and loving who you are. Disclosure: I’m one of the collaborators on this book.
Buy it on Penguin Random House | Your local comic shop
Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs
Damien Wayne, the current Robin, is very serious about being a superhero — he could use a little fun. Li’l Gotham takes place throughout the year as Damien’s friends and Batfamily show him the joy of different holidays and seasons. Kids get to see different superheroes (and villains) interacting while learning about different holiday traditions.
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
Kazu Kibuishi
When their mother gets lured into a mysterious basement door at their old family home, Em and Navin follow her and discover a whole new dark universe of monsters, robots, and talking animals. With a mystical amulet, Em and her brother find allies and become heroes in their own right while working to save their mom and protect their friends. With eight books and counting, this series is great for readers looking to dive into an adventure epic.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Sam Davies
Nan and Clarion are two passionate witches who specialize in monster veterinary medicine. From familiars to phoenixes, they’re here to make sure magical creatures are happy and healthy. When mysteries arise, Nan and Clarion must work as a team to save their patients. Kids who loved Hagrid in Harry Potter will delight in the many monsters they’ll find in this charming series, especially with Davies’ colorful style.
Buy it on Comixology | Simon and Schuster | Your local comic shop
Jeff Smith
This long-running, critically acclaimed series is about three cousins who get kicked out of their home in Boneville and must face the wide, wild world in front of them. Much like The Hobbit led into Lord of the Rings, the series starts out as largely a humor book and evolves into a darker (but still funny) fantasy tale. This is a series your kids can really grow into … as long as they don’t binge the whole series right away.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Raina Telgemeier
Cat’s little sister Maya has cystic fibrosis, and their family is moving to the cool Northern California coast town Bahía de la Luna to help her feel better from day to day. But the sisters learn that the town is full of ghosts. Maya might be excited to meet these spirits, but Cat doesn’t want anything to do with them. More than that, she’s afraid Maya will join them. Ghosts delves into the tough subject of chronic illness and death in a way that is both appropriate for kids and doesn’t talk down to them.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Meg Cabot, Cara McGee
This recent DC graphic novel dives the fan favorite heroine as she navigates high school. Thirteen year old Dinah Lance loves playing in her rock band and wants to fight crime like her cop dad. But when her family and friends start getting targeted by a mysterious stranger, Dinah learns her mother’s secret history and about the gifts she’s inherited. Maybe she’ll even save the day herself.
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
Minh Lê, Dan Santat
A young boy visits his grandfather, but neither of them speak each other’s language. The power of art and love of visual storytelling bridge the language divide and these two generations get to share each other’s experiences. A mix of picture book and comic book, Drawn Together is a great choice for early readers especially, but the message is good for all age groups.
Buy it on Disney Books | Your local comic shop
Noelle Stevenson
Nimona is a brash young shapeshifter in need of a mentor. She quickly becomes apprentice/sidekick to the villainous Lord Ballister Blackheart, foe of Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. But is Lord Blackheart truly the villain of this story? This graphic novel teaches older kids that things are not always what they seem. Heads up: cartoonist Stevenson also runs the Netflix cartoon She-Ra. Fans of the show especially should check this book out.
Buy it on Comixology | Harper Collins | Your local comic shop
Aron Nels Steinke
These charming books tell various tales of Mr. Wolf’s fourth grade class. The kids go through different problems and have lots of adventures, all while Mr. Wolf tries to help them as much as he can. Grade school readers will definitely relate to these slice-of-life stories, and teachers will absolutely relate to Mr. Wolf’s challenges.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, Karl Kershl, Michele Assarasakron, Dave McCaig, John Rauch
What is life like for the high schoolers of Gotham City? Not as fun as you’d expect. Olive and her friend Maps go to prestigious prep school Gotham Academy, whose spooky halls hold secrets as old as the city itself. But while the two best friends investigate the weird happenings at their school, Olive has some secrets of her own … and they involve why she hates Batman so much. This series is perfect for fans of high school manga and Nancy Drew alike.
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
Raina Telgemeier
Callie can’t sing, but she desperately wants to be a part of her school’s musical. She thinks she can handle being the set designer instead, but things start getting complicated fast. From feuding crew members to dwindling early ticket sales to a pair of cute brothers joining the production, Callie has a lot on her plate. Crushes, egos, and carpentry collide in this bestselling graphic novel.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Michael Northrop, Gustavo Duarte
What if your kids could send questions to their favorite superheroes? In Dear Justice League, DC superheroes answer fan mail from kids. Readers will learn about Wonder Woman’s 11th birthday, if Aquaman actually smells like fish, and if Superman ever makes mistakes. This funny book lets kids see these heroes are only human … even the Kryptonians.
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki
Preteen friends Rose and Windy always spend summer together in the beach town of Awago. But this summer, everything goes bad. From arguing parents to other kids keeping dangerous secrets, these two friends need to stick together. This is a great coming-of-age story for younger teens and pre-teens.
Buy it on Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Luke Pearson
Hilda loves to have adventures in the wild woods near her home, especially when she meets fantastic creatures like trolls and giants! When she moves with her mom to the quiet town of Trolberg, Hilda makes new friends and manages to find the magical within the mundane setting. If your kids loved the Hilda Netflix series, they’re going to adore the original comic series.
Buy it on Penguin Random House | Your local comic shop
Victoria Jameson
11-year-old Astrid is so excited to go to roller derby camp, but her best friend Nicole is going to a dance camp instead. As she feels her friendship with Nicole weakening, Astrid has to branch out and build new relationships at camp … while being the best roller girl she can be. Like in All’s Faire in Middle School, Victoria Jameson explores the complicated emotions that come with being a preteen, while also teaching readers about a fun hobby they might not know about.
Buy it on Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Molly Ostertag
The rules in Aster’s community are simple — boys grow up to be shapeshifters and girls grow up to be witches. Anything else is strictly forbidden. But Asher can’t shapeshift, and he’s far more interested in witchcraft. When something goes after the other boys, Asher decides to dives fully into witchcraft to figure out the mystery. The Witch Boy encourages readers to break through strict gender rules and instead be their best selves.
Buy it on Scholastic | Your local comic shop
G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona, Jake Wyatt, Takeshi Miyazawa, Nico Leon
From her very first issue in 2014, Kamala Khan has won the hearts of Marvel readers the world over. A giant Captain Marvel fan, teenage Kamala wants to do amazing things with her life. When her Inhuman powers suddenly activate, giving her growing, shrinking, and stretching powers, Kamala decides to take on Carol Danver’s former title and make it her very own.
Buy it on Comixology | Marvel | Your local comic shop
Raina Telgemeier
The third of Telgemeier’s childhood memoirs, Guts is about the chronic health issues she experienced as a preteen. It starts out as a bad stomach bug, but after getting over the initial illness, Raina still has stomach pains. As she deals with certain foods, keeping friendships strong, and school work, her tummy troubles get worse. The graphic novel destigmatizes these taboo health problems and lets kids know they don’t have to go through pains alone.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Katie O’Neill
Greta is learning how to be a blacksmith. When she comes across a lost tea dragon in the market, she meets two tea shop owners and learns about the dying art of tea dragon caretaking. Soon, she’s learning how to take care of tea dragons herself and discovers how this artform is changing her life for the better. O’Neill’s beautiful art really shines in this adorable book series.
Buy it on Comixology | Oni Press | Your local comic shop
Kelly Thompson, Brianne Drouhard
More than anything, 10 year-old Princess Max wants to be a great detective. Apparently her fairy godmother didn’t get the memo, because she gifts Max with the powers of every princess in the known universe. Max is sulking about this crummy gift when the alarm goes off — her baby brother has gone missing! Now Max, with her wise-cracking pony steed, must use these new princess powers to solve the mystery and save her brother.
Buy it on Comixology | Boom Studios | Your local comic shop
Jerry Craft
Jordan Banks is having a tough time in the seventh grade. Not only is he the new kid, but he’s one of the few kids of color in this very prestigious, very white private school. He doesn’t know where he fits in at school, but he’s also struggling with his old friendships in his neighborhood. Lots of readers will connect with Jordan’s situation and enjoy his journey to finding his place by being himself.
Buy it on Comixology | Harper Collins | Your local comic shop
Landry Q. Walker, Eric Jones
There are many different Supergirl origin stories, and this one happens to be about a preteen crashing to Earth and gaining the attention of her cousin, Superman! With the alias Linda Lee, Supergirl can go to school and be just like every other Earthling. But maybe making (and keeping) friends is ever harder than fighting supervillains.
Buy it on Comixology | DC Comics | Your local comic shop
Jarrett J. Krosoczka
In this poignant graphic novel memoir, Krosoczka shares his experience growing up with a largely absent addict mother and no father in his life. While raised by loving (and opinionated) grandparents, young Jerrett takes years to fully piece together his family history. Through his love of art and self reflection, he comes to terms with who his parents are … and who he is. Hey Kiddo was a National Book Award finalist, and is well worth the praise.
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
Mike Maihack
Young Cleopatra (yes, that Cleopatra) finds a strange tablet that zaps her from Egypt all the way to outer space in the far, far future. It turns out she’s destined to save the entire galaxy! Throughout the series, Cleopatra must fight against evildoers on planets far beyond Earth … while also attending Yasiro Academy to hone her hero skills (and algebra). Friendship and adventure await the one and future Pharaoh!
Buy it on Comixology | Scholastic | Your local comic shop
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